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Friday, September 26, 2014

A Bright Idea

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb animated GIFBy ecoRI News staff

The Clean Water Fund (CWF) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) have joined forces with small businesses to collect mercury-containing lighting elements, such as compact fluorescent bulbs (CLFs).

Hardware stores in 12 communities across the Ocean State that sell the bulbs are offering residents a free collection service for burned-out CFLs and linear lamps up to 4 feet in length. The stores will ship the bulbs to a proper recycling facility.

This collection service will help prevent one source of mercury, a powerful neurotoxin, from finding its way into the environment. The program makes it convenient for consumers to return spent bulbs for recycling.

“The project will demonstrate that when businesses and environmental advocates work together, efficient and economical solutions can be found to limit the health hazards of toxic materials in our communities,” said David Gerraughty, CWF’s mercury program coordinator.

Mercury can cause damage to the brain, kidneys and nervous system, and is of particular concern for pregnant women and children because of its effects on childhood development. Most people contact mercury through fish consumption.

Here are locations (including some in South County) where you can recycle fluorescent bulbs:


Collecting Mercury Bulbs in Rhode Island - Participating Retailers
Jerry’s Paint and Hardware                         
120 Point Judith Road 
Narragansett, RI, 02882


Ace Hardware

633 Putnam Pike Rd 
Greenville, RI, 02828



Center Ace Hardware

156 County Road
Barrington, RI, 02806



Salk Hardware and Marine

2524 West Shore Rd.
Warwick, RI, 02889



Salk Hardware and Marine

5939 Post Road
North Kingstown, RI, 02852



Adler’s Hardware

173 Wickenden St.
Providence, RI, 02903



Wyoming Hardware

1190 Main Street
Wyoming, RI, 02898



Vose Hardware

849 Cumberland Hill Rd.
Woonsocket, RI, 02895



Humphrey’s Building Supply

590 Main Rd
Tiverton, RI, 02878



Newport Hardware

1 Casino Terrace

Newport, RI, 02840